Why So Many Locals, Viet Kieu, and Expats Love Vung Tau for Travel and Long-Term Living

Vietnam has many incredible coastal cities, but Vung Tau stands out as one of the most loved destinations for locals, domestic travelers, Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese), and long-term expats from all over the world. While cities like Nha Trang, Da Nang, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc often attract major attention, Vung Tau quietly keeps building a reputation as one of the most livable, accessible, and peaceful beach cities in the country.

Located just over one hour from Ho Chi Minh City thanks to new expressways, Vung Tau has become a must-visit destination for weekend travelers, retirees, digital nomads, and overseas Vietnamese returning to reconnect with their homeland. But what exactly makes this city so attractive to such a diverse group of people?

This article explores all the reasons why Vung Tau has become a favorite place to visit and a dream location for long-term stays.

1. Convenient Location — The Closest Major Beach City to Saigon

One of the biggest reasons Vung Tau is so popular is its unbeatable proximity to Ho Chi Minh City. While Vietnam has many beautiful beaches, most require long travel times or domestic flights.

Vung Tau is different.
With the new expressways, the drive from Saigon takes only 75–90 minutes.

Why locals love it:

People from Saigon, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai can easily take a weekend escape. Leave Saturday morning, enjoy the beach, seafood, fresh air, and come back Sunday evening.

Why Viet Kieu love it:

Overseas Vietnamese returning to Vietnam often feel tired after long international flights. Instead of flying again or traveling far, they simply hop in a car and arrive at the beach within hours.

Why foreigners/expats love it:

Foreigners staying in Saigon for work enjoy having a nearby beach retreat. No need for airport hassles or expensive flights—Vung Tau is the quickest getaway to nature and the ocean.

This convenience makes Vung Tau one of the most accessible beach cities in all of Vietnam.

2. Mild Weather and Minimal Storms — A Safe Coastal Climate

Unlike coastal cities in the central region, Vung Tau is located in the Southeast, which means:

• fewer storms
• almost no devastating typhoons
• stable weather all year

Locations like Nha Trang or Da Nang are stunning, but every year they face strong storms. Meanwhile, Vung Tau remains a safe, calm, and predictable beach destination—perfect for families, retirees, and long-term residents.

This attracts:

• Locals who want a safe family destination
• Viet Kieu who dislike dealing with unpredictable weather
• Foreign retirees who want year-round warm temperatures
• Expats who work remotely, preferring stability and safety

Vung Tau’s weather is one of its strongest points—never too extreme, never too dangerous, and always welcoming.

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3. Extremely Affordable Living — The Best Value Among Vietnam’s Beach Cities

Compared to other famous beach cities, Vung Tau is much cheaper—especially for long-term stays.

Apartment Rentals:

• $10–$20 per day for a 1–2 bedroom condo
• $300–$400 per month for long-term rentals
• Ocean-view units available in nearly every building

Villas:

Perfect for group travel.

• $200–$250 per night
• Can host 20–40 people
• Comes with pool, karaoke, billiards table, BBQ space

Food & Seafood:

• Fresh seafood every day
• Lower prices than Saigon
• Xóm L??i Market offers restaurant-quality seafood at local prices

Vietnamese locals love the affordability.
Viet Kieu love the value compared to the U.S., Canada, Australia, or Europe.
Foreigners and expats love that they can enjoy a beachfront life without spending a fortune.

For many, Vung Tau feels like luxury living at a budget price.

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4. Fresh, Delicious, and Affordable Seafood

Ask anyone who has visited Vung Tau and they’ll mention the seafood. The city is famous for:

• shrimp, fish, and squid caught fresh every morning
• reasonable restaurant prices
• a simple and local way of living

Viet Kieu often say:

“In America, seafood is frozen. In Vung Tau, seafood tastes alive.”

Foreigners love experimenting with Vietnamese seafood dishes like:

• grilled octopus
• l?u cá ?u?i (stingray hotpot)
• steamed clams
• bánh kh?t

Domestic travelers love that the flavor is authentic and the price is fair.

In Vung Tau, great food is not a luxury—it’s a daily pleasure.

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5. Beachfront Coffee Culture — The Vung Tau Signature Experience

One of the things that makes Vung Tau special is its café culture. You can find dozens of coffee shops right next to the ocean. Whether you want a peaceful morning or a relaxing afternoon, the view is always there.

Typical coffee price:

• 25,000–35,000 VND ($1–$1.5)

And the view?

• priceless.

Older Viet Kieu often say:
“In the U.S., coffee is $8 with no view. In Vung Tau, coffee is $1 with a million-dollar view.”

Expats love it.
Locals love it.
Tourists love it.

It’s simple, relaxing, and uniquely Vietnamese.

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6. Peaceful Lifestyle — Slow Living but Not Boring

Vung Tau offers a rare balance:

peaceful like a small town,
but comfortable like a city.

Traffic is light.
The streets are wide.
The city feels calm, clean, and easy to navigate.

For locals, Vung Tau is the perfect escape from Saigon’s chaos.
For Viet Kieu who live high-pressure lives abroad, Vung Tau is a place where their mind can finally relax.
For foreigners, it is one of the best “slow living” lifestyle destinations in Vietnam.

People often say:

“In Vung Tau, you live slowly, but you never feel lonely.”

The beach, the breeze, and the calm atmosphere create a sense of peace that is difficult to find elsewhere.

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7. Beautiful Views and Endless Spots to Explore

Even though Vung Tau is peaceful, it is not boring. There are plenty of attractions:

• Vung Tau Lighthouse
• Christ the King Statue
• Con Heo Hill
• Ho May Park
• Long Hai and Ho Tram nearby
• Gorgeous coastal roads like H? Long and Quang Trung

Domestic travelers love taking photos and exploring.
Foreigners love hiking and discovering new places.
Viet Kieu love revisiting spots from their childhood or experiencing the city with fresh eyes.

The city offers the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.

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8. Suitable for Long-Term Living and Retirement

One of the biggest reasons Vung Tau is rising in popularity is its suitability for long-term stays.

Ideal groups include:

• Viet Kieu retirees
• digital nomads
• foreigners working remotely
• families wanting a calmer place than Saigon
• young Vietnamese seeking balance

With low living costs, mild weather, modern apartments, and good hospitals, Vung Tau is becoming a favorite retirement destination for both Vietnamese locals and expats.

Many Viet Kieu even split their time:
half the year in the U.S. or Canada,
half the year in Vung Tau.

It’s the best of both worlds.

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9. A Friendly City — Warm, Safe, and Welcoming

One thing visitors always mention is the friendliness of Vung Tau’s people. Locals are gentle, helpful, and used to welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Expats often say they feel safer in Vung Tau than in many other Asian cities.
Viet Kieu feel comfortable because the culture feels familiar and open.
Foreigners appreciate the calmness and hospitality.

Vung Tau is not just beautiful—it is friendly, safe, and emotionally warm.

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10. A Place That Feels Like “Home” for Everyon

Perhaps the biggest reason Vung Tau attracts such a wide audience is this:

It feels like home.
Even if it’s your first time here.

Locals feel proud of their coastal culture.
Vietnamese travelers feel connected to the land and the ocean.
Viet Kieu feel nostalgic and emotionally grounded.
Foreigners feel welcomed and relaxed.

Vung Tau is the rare beach city that offers:

• comfort
• affordability
• beauty
• peace
• convenience

It is the kind of place where people don’t just visit…

they return.
Again and again.

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Conclusion

Vung Tau’s charm doesn’t come from luxury or glamour.
It comes from the gentle ocean breeze, the fresh seafood, the affordable living, the convenience, the friendliness, and the sense of peace that people feel instantly.

That is why locals love it.
That is why foreigners stay.
That is why Viet Kieu keep coming back.
And that is why many people choose to retire or spend months living here.

Vung Tau isn’t just a place to visit.
It’s a place to breathe, to rest, and to come home to.

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